What Is The History Of Messinese Goat Breed?

The Messinese goat also called the Nebrodi goat, is a breed of dairy goat found mainly in the area around the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountain ranges in the Province of Messina, in the Mediterranean island of Sicily, in southern Italy. It is well adapted to the climate of the region and is usually allowed to roam free (sometimes in an almost feral state) in the mountains of Messina and in nearby areas in the provinces of Catania, Enna, and Palermo.

The breed was officially recognized and a herd-book established in 2001. The Messinese is one of the forty-three autochthonous Italian goat breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep- and goat-breeders. At the end of 2013, the registered population was variously reported as 9814 and as 10,409, the total population is estimated at 42,000.

What Are The Characteristics Of Messinese Goat Breed?

Messinese Goats are generally small to medium-sized. The average height of the bucks is about 72 cm, and the average height of the does is 67 cm. They have a small head and ears of medium size. Both bucks and does usually have horns and beards. Tassels are often present. Messinese goats come in a wide variety of colors and shades. It has black, white, brown, or mixed-color long hair.

The milk yield per lactation of the Messinese is 137 liters for primiparous, 170 liters for secondiparous, and 188 l for pluriparous, nannies. The milk averages 5.83% fat and 4.13% protein and is used mostly to make caprino and mixed-milk cheeses.

What Is The Weight Of Messinese Goat?

The average body weight of a mature buck is about 55 kg, and the does on average weight about 38 kg.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org
2. https://www.livestockoftheworld.com
3. https://enacademic.com
4. https://www.capre.it